29th April 2006
Welcome to the board Solaray2. I noticed an echocardiogram was not listed in your list of tests. See about getting one. An echo looks at the heart size, how the valves are functioning, how much blood is being pumped from your left ventricle to your body, called an ejection fraction. A 55% or higher EF is normal. If you have a weakened heart muscle, the EF will be lower. If your heart is weak, symptoms are: Fatigue, Weakness, Shortness of Breath, Palpatations. If severe weakness is present, Edema would also be part of that list. There are other tests if cardiomyopathy (muscle weakness) is diagnosed. An echo is a good place to start and would tell cardio if you need further testing, etc...
Also, inhalers are hard on the heart. They make the heart race and can make your heart pound. I'm on Azmacort 2 puffs 2x day and Albuterol as needed. Albuterol works like epinephrine (stress hormone) so I limit it as much as possible. I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy with an EF of 30%. Hope this helps. Penk
Also, inhalers are hard on the heart. They make the heart race and can make your heart pound. I'm on Azmacort 2 puffs 2x day and Albuterol as needed. Albuterol works like epinephrine (stress hormone) so I limit it as much as possible. I have Dilated Cardiomyopathy with an EF of 30%. Hope this helps. Penk
